Upon launching the grants, Mr David Akers spoke on behalf of the family of Private Ivins.

“It is our wish that these travel grants help young Australians explore and study the world, and contribute to a future of regional stability and global peace,” said Mr Akers.

Professor John Blaxland said the program would encourage students to undertake credit-bearing study in the Asia Pacific region.

“The travel grants program is designed to recall the sacrifice of military personnel in periods of war and conflict, to facilitate the cross-cultural engagement of young people in the Asia Pacific region, and to develop cooperative relationships which guard against loss of life in the future,” he said.

“It has provided me with a greater flexibility to attend a number of interesting lectures and seminars that have sparked ideas and new pathways within my International Security Studies degree. I am so grateful for new doors this Memorial Prize has opened up for me.”